Chapter 8 — I'm Busy All My Life, And You're Lonely

The doctor held the test results and looked serious.

"There is an eighty percent blockage in a blood vessel, a stent must be placed. Surgery will be arranged tomorrow, the family must sign a commitment form."

Luc's mother panicked.

“Doctor, is this surgery a big risk?”

“Any surgery has risks, but this is a routine operation with a very high success rate.” The doctor said, "But after surgery, you must coordinate recovery, don't be too tired, don't have strong emotional fluctuations, take medicine on time, and have follow-up examinations on time."

“Yes yes yes, we will definitely pay attention.”

Luc's mother nodded vigorously. Back in the hospital room, Luc Kien Quan lay down, feeling extremely tired. It's not that the body can't handle it, it's that the mind is tired. He wanted to call Tong Tuyet, but didn't know where to start. It's too late after all these years. Explain? It looks too pale and weak. The phone vibrates. It's Tong Tuyet's Wechat.

“How are the test results?”

Luc Kien Quan stared at this text for a long time. Finally answered one question: "Eighty percent occlusion, surgery tomorrow." Tong Tuyet quickly texted back: "I know, I'll come over this afternoon." The tone is the same, still monotonous. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Tong Tuyet entered the hospital room. Carrying washed fruit in hand and a change of pajamas. When Luc's mother saw her, her expression became even colder.

"The doctor said that Tieu Quan has to have surgery tomorrow, and someone must be on duty constantly. Those three days of leave of yours are not enough."

Tong Tuyet placed fruit on the bedside table.

"I understand clearly. Tu Ngang will arrive tomorrow night, and he will be on duty the day after tomorrow."

“Tu Ngang is a big boy, does he know how to take care of sick people?”

“If you don't know, learn.” Tong Tuyet replied, "He is a boy, the responsibilities he has to shoulder, he always has to shoulder."

Luc's mother was about to retort further, but was interrupted by Luc Kien Quan.

“Mom, I'm a little thirsty, please go get me some hot water.”

Luc's mother was not very willing, so she took a thermos of water and went out. There were only the two of them left in the hospital room.

“The surgery commitment form, have you signed it yet?” Tong Tuyet asked.

"YES." Tong Tuyet took out a notebook from her pocket, "These are the notes the doctor advised, what to do before and after surgery, what to eat, what not to do, I have written it all down. Tomorrow I will give this notebook to Tu Ngang, so he can follow it."

She handed over the notebook. Luc Kien Quan received it and casually flipped it open. The writing is neat and clearly divided. What time to take medicine, what medicine to take, how much to take. Which foods can be eaten and which foods must be avoided? After surgery, how to get out of bed and get active, how to arrange rest. Every item and clause is recorded very clearly. Even more detailed than the construction drawings he had drawn before.

“When did you… ask?” Luc Kien Quan asked.

“This morning I found a doctor to talk to.” Tong Tuyet said, "You ask too many questions. The doctor may still find you confusing."

Luc Kien Quan looked at those words and felt as if his heart was being weighed down by a large rock. Tong Tuyet has always been like that. Work carefully, think carefully. Even though she says she doesn't want to take care of him, she will still arrange each thing she thinks needs to be done.

“Tong Tuyet,” Luc Kien Quan said, “We let's talk.”

“What are we talking about?”

“Talking about the past years, talking about us…”

“Luc Kien Quan,” Tong Tuyet interrupted him, “What you need to do now is rest in peace and recuperate, let's consider other things later.”

“When will it be later?”

Tong Tuyet did not respond. She stood up and walked to the window. Outside the window is the small garden of the inpatient area, with patients and family members walking slowly.